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Harbor Defense Command

At the port level, it is expected that the Captain of the Port would normally be assigned as the Harbor Defense Commander. Acting as both the Harbor Defense Commander and Captain of the Port, the local Marine Safety Office retains the responsibility for developing port level contingency plans, i.e., the 9700/9800 series.

The mission of the Harbor Defense Commander (HDC) is to provide harbor defense, port security, and coastal sea control of littoral areas by employing active and reserve composite Navy/Coast Guard expeditionary forces in a low threat, OCONUS rear area. In carrying out this mission, the Composite Naval Coastal Warfare Unit, namely the Harbor Defense Command Unit (HDCU), in its role as the HDC, would be assigned supportive, subordinate units typically comprised of a Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit (MIUWU) and/or a Port Security Unit (PSU) and an Inshore Boat Unit (IBU). Additionally, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, a Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU), and/or Army/Marine security force and/or logistics detachments may be assigned to the HDC. Ideally, all elements of the HDC would be collocated for security and efficiency purposes.

Each HDCU is tasked by their Naval Coastal Warfare Group to exercise command and control of a harbor in a designated Area of Responsibility (AOR) to support a Naval Component Commander (NCC). This mission can be expanded to include command and control of Naval Coastal Warfare (NCW) or Coastal Sea Control (CSC) assets. Depending on the situation, the specific HDC missions would include one or more of the following:

• Coastal and Harbor Surveillance and Interdiction
• Inshore Undersea Warfare
• Port Safety and Security
• Vessel Traffic Control
• Waterside and Shoreside Physical Security
• Search and Rescue
• Inshore Mine Countermeasures
• Harbor Clearance
• Aids to Navigation Restoration/Improvement

Separate and distinct from these missions and the establishment of an Operations Center (OPCEN), the HDC is also likely to be responsible for the establishment and management of an base camp which will feed and house all assigned personnel.

The Harbor Defense Commander works through the local Port Readiness Committee for interagency support. The local Port Readiness Committee's role is to help provide federal, state and local law enforcement agency support and response asset coordination.